Liam Neeson no longer Lincoln

Ditches Spielberg steered biopic

Steven Spielberg’s Abraham Lincoln biopic is in trouble – long-time leading man-in-waiting Liam Neeson has bailed on the project after having been attached for years.

Speaking with Digital Spy , the actor confirmed:

"I'm not actually playing Lincoln now. I was attached to it for a while, but it's now I'm past my sell-by date."

Which sounds like Neeson selling himself short a little bit – especially considering he’s just headed up The A-Team and proven he’s not exactly reaching for the walking stick anytime soon. Perhaps he just became frustrated being attached to a project that wasn't moving.

Still, Spielberg’s probably too busy at the moment to have even noticed, with his Adventures Of Tintin and War Horse both keeping him occupied for the next year or two.

Will Neeson eventually jump back onboard once things look more likely to go for the film? In the fickle world of Hollywood, we wouldn’t bet against it. Disappointed Neeson’s no longer involved? Who else could play the part?